Friday, October 19, 2018

dissident Saudi Prince Khalid bin Farhan Al-Saud's perspective

9-10-2018

Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz (shown at right of photo), the brother of King Salman of Saudi Arabia, is considering not returning home after comments he made to Yemeni and Bahraini protesters outside his London home earlier in the week in which he distanced himself and the rest of the Al Saud family from the actions of his brother and his nephew, the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), a senior source close to the prince told Middle East Eye.

Challenged by protesters chanting "Down, down Al Saud. Criminal Family," the prince turned to them and asked: “Why are you saying this about Al Saud?“ Ahmed began. “What does the whole of the Al Saud family have to do with this? There are certain individuals who are responsible. Don’t involve anyone else.” Asked by the protesters who was responsible, the prince replied: “The king and the crown prince, and others in the state.” https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/exclusive-saudi-kings-brother-considering-self-exile-841116473

10-6-18 NEW YORK - Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has brushed aside United States President Donald Trump’s warning that the oil-rich kingdom’s leadership might not last “two weeks” without American military support, saying that his country existed decades before the USA.

In an interview with Bloomberg, an American news service, in Riyadh he underscored that Riyadh “will pay nothing” to Washington for Saudi Arabia’s security, adding that “all the armaments we have from the United States of America are paid for, it’s not free armament.” At the same time, Prince Salman said of President Trump, “I love working with him. I really like working with him.” https://nation.com.pk/07-Oct-2018/ksa-will-pay-nothing-to-usa-for-its-security-prince-salman

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10-17-2018

Saudi Prince Khalid bin Farhan Al-Saud has accused his country of trying to kidnap him. These accusations coincided with the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who has gone missing since he entered the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul two weeks ago.

The dissident prince stated that Saudi officials tried to lure him a few weeks ago to kidnap him and take him to Saudi Arabia. “They spoke to one of my relatives a few days before Khashoggi’s disappearance and told him about a cheque. They told him they wanted to help the prince because of his financial problems,” the prince said.

Saudi Prince Khalid bin Farhan Al-Saud: I know the mentality of the political leader in Saudi Arabia, King Salman. He ruled the province of Riyadh for 50 years. He resorted to violence because he had no political experience, but was bestowed with great power. Now that he has finally become king, he is ruling with the same political style — also in international affairs.

Does that mean that orders to kill always come from the very top — in other words, from King Salman?

Correct. It is well known that opposition voices who were kidnapped from Europe had their fates sealed by orders from the king. The more prominent dissidents were personally punished by order of the king. It is the king who gives the orders.

-Prince Khalid spoke with DW's Arabic service

It is the same with Jamal Khashoggi, the world-renowned journalist from The Washington Post. When such an act is carried out, naturally it requires the consent of the head of government.

I could not say that

King Salman (shown) is directly involved but I believe the decision and the implementation of the killing leads to his son, Mohammed.

To what extent will the affair deepen the existing cracks within the ruling family?

10-19-2018 During an interview with the German DW TV the Saudi prince Khalid bin Farhan Al-Saud also stated (peaking to the present Saudi king: “Your brother Ahmed bin Abdulaziz is highly ethical, and you are aware of this, not only you but the whole royal family and the Saudi people realise it. So, the wise thing to do, if you have any wisdom left, is to abdicate the throne in his favour and save what remained of your dignity.” https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20181019-saudi-prince-the-king-ordered-khashoggis-death-and-mohammed-bin-salman-carried-it-out/